Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like Kerbal Space Program (2026)
Every game below overlaps with Kerbal Space Program on things players said about it rather than on our opinion of what feels alike. Each entry shows what it matched on, so you can throw out the ones matching on the part you did not care about.
The short version
- Closest match: Oxygen Not Included, which both open world, science fiction, strategy and difficult.
- Kerbal Space Program is tagged Space, Simulation, Sandbox, Physics, Science, Space Sim, Building, Moddable by Steam players. Those tags are what the matching runs on.
- 24 games qualify, each with at least fifty player reviews behind its sentiment figure.
- 1 are free to download, so you can test the resemblance yourself at no cost.
How these were matched
Steam tags carry the most weight, because players apply them and they describe how a game feels rather than how it was filed. Souls-like, Atmospheric and Cozy exist as tags and as nothing else, which is exactly the vocabulary this question needs. Formal genres count for less, themes and a shared studio for more.
Tags carried by more than a third of the catalogue are thrown out before matching. Nearly everything is tagged Singleplayer, so matching on it is matching on nothing. That cutoff is computed from the catalogue rather than fixed, so it moves as the catalogue grows.
All 24, closest first
- 1
Oxygen Not Included
Why it matched: both open world, science fiction, strategy and difficult; shares 10 player tags including Building, Simulation and Sandbox; released around the same time (2019).
Oxygen Not Included is a space-colony simulation game. Deep inside an alien space rock your industrious crew will need to master science, overcome strange new lifeforms, and harness incredible space tech to survive, and possibly, thrive.
Oxygen Not Included at a glance Released 2019 Studio Klei Entertainment Player sentiment 97% positive of 143,589 Price $24.99 BuildingSimulationSandboxStrategySpaceIndieSci-fiDifficult
- 2
Elite Dangerous
Why it matched: both open world, science fiction, strategy and difficult; shares 8 player tags including Space Sim, Space and Exploration; released around the same time (2014).
Take control of your own starship and blaze your trail in an ever-changing galaxy. Master the arts of combat, mining and trade or venture out into the unknown across a 1:1 scale universe.
Elite Dangerous at a glance Released 2014 Studio Frontier Developments Player sentiment 77% positive of 107,348 Price $5.99 Space SimSpaceExplorationSci-fiSimulationSandboxDifficultStrategy
- 3
SpaceChem
Why it matched: both science fiction, strategy and difficult; shares 9 player tags including Difficult, Indie and Sci-fi; released around the same time (2011).
Zachtronics is back with an ambitious new design-based puzzle game. Take on the role of a Reactor Engineer working for SpaceChem, the leading chemical synthesizer for frontier colonies. Construct elaborate factories to transform raw materials into valuable chemical products!
SpaceChem at a glance Released 2011 Studio Zachtronics Player sentiment 92% positive of 5,085 Price $9.99 DifficultIndieSci-fiScienceSpaceSimulationEducationStrategy
- 4
Universe Sandbox
Why it matched: both open world and science fiction; shares 10 player tags including Sandbox, Space and Simulation; released around the same time (2015).
Create & destroy on an unimaginable scale with a realistic physics-based space simulator. Explore the beauty of our universe and the fragility of our planet. Use science to bend the laws of gravity, collide planets, boil away oceans, fire epic space lasers, and customize your universe.
Universe Sandbox at a glance Released 2015 Studio Giant Army Player sentiment 96% positive of 32,082 Price $20.09 SandboxSpaceSimulationPhysicsScienceEducationSpace SimSci-fi
- 5
Empyrion - Galactic Survival
Why it matched: both open world, science fiction and strategy; shares 9 player tags including Simulation, Space and Building.
Build and explore in a true space sandbox survival adventure. Construct mighty capital vessels, sprawling planetary settlements, and vast space stations in your galactic journey to discover the mysteries of Empyrion!
Empyrion - Galactic Survival at a glance Released 2020 Studio Eleon Game Studios Player sentiment 78% positive of 34,399 Price $19.99 SimulationSpaceBuildingExplorationSpace SimSandboxPhysicsSci-fi
- 6
FTL: Faster Than Light
Why it matched: both science fiction, strategy and difficult; shares 8 player tags including Space, Strategy and Sci-fi; released around the same time (2012).
This "spaceship simulation roguelike-like" allows you to take your ship and crew on an adventure through a randomly generated galaxy filled with glory and bitter defeat.
FTL: Faster Than Light at a glance Released 2012 Studio Subset Games Player sentiment 95% positive of 78,616 Price $9.99 SpaceStrategySci-fiIndieDifficultReplay ValueSpace SimSimulation
- 7
Endless Sky
Why it matched: both open world, science fiction and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Space, Sci-fi and Simulation; released around the same time (2015).
Endless Sky is a 2D space trading and combat game inspired by the classic Escape Velocity series. Work your way up from a relatively wimpy shuttle, cargo ship, or fighter, to a highly upgraded and customized flagship or to a massive fleet of warships or freighters.
Endless Sky at a glance Released 2015 Studio Michael Zahniser Player sentiment 92% positive of 7,092 Price Free SpaceSci-fiSimulationExplorationSpace SimIndieSandboxStrategy
- 8
Surviving Mars
Why it matched: both open world, science fiction and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Strategy, Space and Simulation; released around the same time (2018).
There will be challenges to overcome. Execute your strategy and improve your colony’s chances of survival while unlocking the mysteries of this alien world. Are you ready? Mars is waiting for you.
Surviving Mars at a glance Released 2018 Studio Haemimont Games Player sentiment 80% positive of 28,730 Price Not listed StrategySpaceSimulationSci-fiBuildingSandboxSpace SimModdable
- 9
Universe Sandbox Legacy
Why it matched: both science fiction; shares 11 player tags including Simulation, Sandbox and Space; released around the same time (2011).
Create and destroy on a scale you’ve never imagined!
Universe Sandbox Legacy at a glance Released 2011 Studio Giant Army Player sentiment 80% positive of 2,977 Price Not listed SimulationSandboxSpacePhysicsScienceEducationIndieSci-fi
- 10
Planetbase
Why it matched: both open world, science fiction and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Space, Strategy and Simulation; released around the same time (2015).
Guide a group of space settlers trying to establish a base on a remote planet. Grow food, collect energy, mine resources, survive disasters and build a self-sufficient colony in a harsh and unforgiving environment.
Planetbase at a glance Released 2015 Studio Madruga Works Player sentiment 80% positive of 10,438 Price $7.49 SpaceStrategySimulationSci-fiBuildingIndieSandboxSpace Sim
- 11
Gold Mining Simulator
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and difficult; shares 8 player tags including Simulation, Indie and Sandbox; released around the same time (2017).
Become a gold miner. Work hard, dig deep, explore the world, and you’ll become the wealthiest person in Alaska. Use a variety of specialist machines to find as much gold as you can.
Gold Mining Simulator at a glance Released 2017 Studio Code Horizon Player sentiment 73% positive of 16,382 Price $19.99 SimulationIndieSandboxBuildingExplorationStrategyFunnyDifficult
- 12
Poly Bridge
Why it matched: both strategy and difficult; shares 9 player tags including Building, Simulation and Physics; released around the same time (2016).
Unleash your engineering creativity with an engaging and fresh bridge-building simulator with all the bells and whistles. Enjoy hours of physics-based puzzle solving in the Campaign and then jump in the Sandbox to create your own bridge designs and puzzles!
Poly Bridge at a glance Released 2016 Studio Dry Cactus Player sentiment 91% positive of 18,905 Price $9.99 BuildingSimulationPhysicsSandboxDifficultIndieFunnyEducation
- 13
Dyson Sphere Program
Why it matched: both open world, science fiction and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Space, Building and Simulation.
Build the most efficient intergalactic factory in space simulation strategy game Dyson Sphere Program! Harness the power of stars, collect resources, plan and design production lines and develop your interstellar factory from a small space workshop to a galaxy-wide industrial empire.
Dyson Sphere Program at a glance Released 2021 Studio Youthcat Studio Player sentiment 97% positive of 91,586 Price $19.99 SpaceBuildingSimulationSci-fiSandboxStrategySpace SimIndie
- 14
Spore
Why it matched: both open world, science fiction and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Sandbox, Exploration and Simulation.
Be the architect of your own universe with Spore, an exciting single-player adventure. From Single Cell to Galactic God, evolve your creature in a universe of your own creations.
Spore at a glance Released 2008 Studio Maxis Player sentiment 93% positive of 72,594 Price $19.99 SandboxExplorationSimulationSpaceScienceFunnySci-fiComedy
- 15
SPORE Galactic Adventures
Why it matched: both open world, science fiction and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Simulation, Space and Exploration.
Take Your Creature From Zero To Galactic HeroGet out of your starship and turn your Spore creatures into legendary Space Captains. For the first time, beam down with your allies to take on action-packed, planetside adventures. Complete quests, collect rewards, and even create your own missions.
SPORE Galactic Adventures at a glance Released 2009 Studio EA - Maxis Player sentiment 89% positive of 7,761 Price $19.99 SimulationSpaceExplorationSandboxStrategySci-fiFunnyComedy
- 16
Hardspace: Shipbreaker
Why it matched: both open world, science fiction and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Space, Sci-fi and Simulation.
Equipped with cutting-edge salvaging tech, carve & slice spaceships to recover valuable materials. Upgrade your gear to take on more lucrative contracts and pay your billion credits debt to LYNX Corp!
Hardspace: Shipbreaker at a glance Released 2022 Studio Blackbird Interactive Player sentiment 89% positive of 22,334 Price $34.99 SpaceSci-fiSimulationPhysicsSandboxSpace SimStrategyBuilding
- 17
Cortex Command
Why it matched: both science fiction, strategy and difficult; shares 8 player tags including Strategy, Indie and Physics; released around the same time (2012).
Choose between different factions, with their own set of expendable soldiers, mechas, and weapons. Protect your brain, mine gold, and destroy the enemy cortex in his bunker complex!
Cortex Command at a glance Released 2012 Studio Data Realms Player sentiment 72% positive of 6,034 Price $19.99 StrategyIndiePhysicsSandboxModdableSci-fiDifficultReplay Value
- 18
X4: Foundations
Why it matched: both open world, science fiction and strategy; shares 7 player tags including Space Sim, Simulation and Sandbox; released around the same time (2018).
Your journey to building a vast space empire begins behind the controls of a single ship. Explore, trade, fight, and build as you rise to command fleets, stations, and entire economies in a living, fully simulated universe that reacts to every decision.
X4: Foundations at a glance Released 2018 Studio Egosoft Player sentiment 80% positive of 30,064 Price $49.99 Space SimSimulationSandboxSpaceExplorationStrategyBuilding
- 19
Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
Why it matched: both science fiction and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Simulation, Space and Strategy; released around the same time (2012).
Command a space-faring empire in Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion, the new stand-alone expansion that combines 4X depth with real-time strategy gameplay.
Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion at a glance Released 2012 Studio Ironclad Games Corporation Player sentiment 93% positive of 16,339 Price $19.99 SimulationSpaceStrategySandboxSci-fiExplorationReplay ValueSpace Sim
- 20
Satisfactory
Why it matched: both open world, science fiction and strategy; shares 7 player tags including Building, Sandbox and Exploration.
Satisfactory is a first-person open-world factory building game with a dash of exploration and combat. Play alone or with friends, explore an alien planet, create multi-story factories, and enter conveyor belt heaven!
Satisfactory at a glance Released 2024 Studio Coffee Stain Studios Player sentiment 97% positive of 278,668 Price $39.99 BuildingSandboxExplorationSimulationStrategySci-fiIndie
- 21
Dwarf Fortress
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Strategy, Simulation and Sandbox.
Build a fortress and try to help your dwarves survive against a deeply generated world. Keep your dwarves happy, grow their community and beware of digging too deeply. The deepest, most intricate simulation of a world that's ever been created.
Dwarf Fortress at a glance Released 2022 Studio Bay 12 Games Player sentiment 95% positive of 31,446 Price $29.99 StrategySimulationSandboxBuildingModdableDifficultExploration
- 22
IXION
Why it matched: both science fiction, strategy and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Space, Strategy and Building.
IXION is an unrelenting, city-building odyssey across the stars. As Administrator of the Tiqqun, DOLOS’ prototype space station, you are tasked with balancing preservation and exploration as you manage infrastructure, resources and crew. Can you keep the flame of humanity alight in the cold dark?
IXION at a glance Released 2022 Studio Bulwark Studios Player sentiment 79% positive of 17,614 Price $10.49 SpaceStrategyBuildingSimulationExplorationDifficultIndie
- 23
Scribblenauts Unlimited
Why it matched: both open world and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Sandbox, Funny and Comedy; released around the same time (2012).
The best-selling, award-winning franchise is back – on your home PC in gorgeous HD for the first time.
Scribblenauts Unlimited at a glance Released 2012 Studio 5th Cell Media Player sentiment 94% positive of 12,381 Price $19.99 SandboxFunnyComedyEducationStrategyModdableReplay ValueIndie
- 24
The Escapists 2
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Strategy, Simulation and Indie; released around the same time (2017).
Craft, Steal, Brawl and Escape! It’s time to bust out of the toughest prisons in the world as you return to the life of an inmate in The Escapists 2, now with multiplayer! Have you got what it takes to escape?
The Escapists 2 at a glance Released 2017 Studio Team17 Player sentiment 91% positive of 33,775 Price $19.99 StrategySimulationIndieSandboxFunnyDifficult
Common questions
What game is most like Kerbal Space Program?
Oxygen Not Included, on the evidence we have. It both open world, science fiction, strategy and difficult. That is a statement about overlap, not a promise you will like it as much: two games can share every tag and still feel different to play.
How is "similar to Kerbal Space Program" decided?
By overlap on the tags Steam players applied to each game, the formal genres, the themes both sit in, and whether the same studio made them. Tags carry the most weight because players write them, so they describe how a game feels rather than how it was filed. Tags carried by more than a third of the catalogue are ignored: matching on "Singleplayer" is matching on nothing. Every entry below shows exactly what it matched on.
Are these ranked by quality?
No. They are ordered by how much they overlap with Kerbal Space Program. Where two games overlap equally, the better received one goes first, but that only moves a game a place or two. Each entry shows its own player sentiment so you can weigh that separately.
Do you get paid for these recommendations?
No. The order is computed from tag and genre overlap and nothing else. No placement here can be bought, and a game appearing high on this page is a statement about resemblance rather than an endorsement.